Properly Cleaning An Innova Machine

Posted by INNOVA / ABM on Jun 26th 2020



Innova has come out with an official recommendation for how to clean your INNOVA.

Innova Service Bulletin #06252020

Service Bulletin June 25, 2020

Properly cleaning an Innova Machine Basic proper cleaning procedures for an Innova. Its pertinent that you properly clean your Innova every day after each use. The following is the minimum a user should do as you can never perform enough cleaning. Regular cleaning is required to insure the longevity of your machine and its components.

Every day:

1) Remove the needle plate (properly inspect it for needle strikes and wipe it down with a lint free cloth and silicone spray).

2) Remove the bobbin case (properly inspect it and brush out any lint from under the tension spring and backlash spring).

3) Hook cleaning:

a) While needle plate and bobbin case are removed, vacuum out any dust or lint from the sewing area including the hook. Rotate the hand wheel while vacuuming to remove dust and lint from the hook. Brush the hook and its raceway with a soft bristle brush to remove any lint, thread or other abrasive debris from the hook raceway.

b) Compressed air is not recommended. If using a low-pressure air source, make certain to direct the air flow from above the needle plate opening to blow the dust and lint down, forward and out toward the machine operator. Make certain not to blow the dust, lint and abrasive particles into the hook, gears, shafts bearings or belts. Abrasive dust can cause premature wear.

4) Lubrication

a) Properly lubricate the hook with light sewing machine oil. Be certain to get oil into the raceway and rotate the handwheel to spread the oil throughout the hook. Coat metal parts in silicone spray or sewing machine oil (do not use the small tube that may come with the can, only the standard nozzle). Allow to soak for a few minutes but do not allow to dry. Lightly brush with a soft bristle brush (do not scrub) to break up any build up. Wipe away any visible dirt with a lint free cloth. Reapply silicone spray or light sewing machine oil. Work moving parts to evenly spread the oil. Note: Silicone cloths make great cleaning tools for the machine. DO NOT use any ammonia-based cleaners on any part of the machine. DO NOT use any type of cleaner other than oil on bronze bushings and ball bearings (specifically needle bar) Compressed air is acceptable if it is less than 30psi (compressed cans of air are NOT OK – new they can be as high as 145psi). It should never be directed at the seals and contact areas of a bearing or bushing as it can displace the grease/oil or force foreign bodies and dirt inside them. It is fine for general “blowing off”.

5) Needle bar cleaning:

a) Turn the hand wheel lowering the needle bar and presser bar. Using a lint free cloth, apply a light coat of sewing machine oil and wipe off the needle bar and presser bar, removing any lint and dust. Dab carefully with a small soft brush to remove any dust or lint at the base of the lower needle bar and presser bar bushings. Make certain not to jam lint into the bushings. Never use compressed air to blow upwards into the bushings.

B) Tension assembly cleaning: a) Inspect the tension for pieces of thread behind the rotating disc. Gently pull out on compression disk releasing the beehive spring and remove any thread or debris.

6) Inspect all thread guides and wipe clean. Monthly: Inside sewing mechanism:

7) Remove the faceplate.

a) Carefully wipe and brush any dust or lint out of the sewhead casting. Do not use compressed air. Be careful not to blow or force dust or lint into the moving parts of the take-up assembly or needle bar and presser bar bushing. Sparingly spray some teflon based sewing machine oil or light sewing machine oil into the area and wipe clean. We are not lubricating the parts only cleaning them and removing any dust or lint that may get trapped inside.

Frame:

8) Wipe clean long p-rails on frame using a lint free cloth with basic household cleaner. Such as fantastic or simple green.

9) Clean encoder wheels using rubbing alcohol and a lint free cloth. Note: DO NOT use any oil or lubricant on the frame rails or wheels of the machine. For the frame and painted surfaces of the machine, any hard surface cleaner that is ammonia free is fine.

Thank you

#INNOVA #How to clean your INNOVA #How to clean longarm